Rise of the Argentine Empire

The fireworks display ended, and Saint-Hesse watched Ilena's figure, hurrying to catch up and escort her to the hotel. Then, they parted ways. Tonight's experience felt like a dream, separating from Ilena.

The next day, Saint-Hesse drove Ilena to the Maria train station early in the morning, agreeing to meet again in Buda.

Ilena also had to prepare for the graduate school entrance exam in Buda.

The commander, the Chen family, the clothing factory, and the people from the Prari soda factory and canning factory were also settled one by one.

Just as he stopped, Sean, the chief manager of the gunpowder factory, came over.

"Boss, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear?"

"Don't dawdle like a woman, spit it out," Saint-Hesse said impatiently.

"Boss, we're running out of raw materials! Also, the fireworks orders have exploded! I'm done."

"Shift..."

"Boss, is it 'shit'? Is your English not good?" Sean couldn't help but complain.

"You talk too much nonsense. If you can't do your job well, I have to clean up the mess. What raw materials are lacking? Be specific. Is it a lack of money? I'll take care of it."

Raw materials, huh? Time to use money power. Saint-Hesse felt his wallet was bulging now.

"Boss, it's not a matter of money. The fireworks orders have increased a lot, right? The main raw material used is black powder, and our factory's inventory can only produce less than 10,000 boxes. As a result, the effect last night was very good, and people have already paid deposits, selling 20,000 boxes of fireworks. People are still coming to ask today..."

Sean quickly explained, worried that the boss was angry. Was this guy too narrow-minded? Couldn't he take a joke?

"Isn't this a good thing? How do you produce your black powder? I will provide funds and equipment." It was a good opportunity for the machine factory to get some production orders.

"The mine behind our factory is a sulfur mine, which can produce sulfuric acid. Ammonia can also be synthesized, but potassium nitrate needs raw materials to synthesize, and we don't buy much... It's imported from Chile, but you know that our relationship with Chile has been bad in recent years. Even the Redwood Fertilizer Factory has become the Redwood Organic Fertilizer Factory."

Sean continued to explain.

"Are you talking about Redwood, the one that imports bird droppings?" Saint-Hesse was also a little speechless. Wasn't that the name of the company he originally planned to register?

"Yes, boss, I've been there... The Redwood factory has transformed to produce organic fertilizer..."

"Is there an alternative? I can't go to Chile to get bird-dropping saltpeter, can I?"

"Actually, we have a set of ammonia synthesis equipment, which also requires potassium chloride to react and synthesize. We need potassium nitrate to produce fireworks. This is the main raw material."

"Sean, you're quite something, keeping a low profile."

"Boss, I only know a little bit."

"Okay, so the raw materials can still be bought, right? It's just not very safe?"

"That's right. It's a tri-border area, and it's chaotic there. There are some small workshops locally, but there are also some local armed bullies. I'm afraid we won't come back if we go." Sean was still apprehensive when he said this.

"Then I'll take care of this matter. I'll handle it. How long can the current raw materials last?"

"Maybe, perhaps, it can last for half a month. Our factory has a lot of inventory, and we didn't originally deal with black powder."

"That's easy to handle. I'll find a few train cars, which should be enough, right? If not, I'll get a train."

"That's enough, boss. I'm very confident in making the gunpowder factory thrive. I'll go sort out those orders and give them to you later. But boss, you need to hurry up. My mind isn't on sales."

"You'll have to work harder during this period. I'll find a factory director for you then."

Since Chaco was busy, Saint-Hesse planned to send the Viper Squad out to do some escort work. There was no other way. Now that he had the gunpowder factory, he still had to make money.

Saint-Hesse found the Viper Squad members who were eating breakfast and instructed Aragon, planning to make a big move.

"Aragon, I'm assigning you a mission to occupy a place for me on the Puna Plateau."

Since there were rebellious local armed forces there, Saint-Hesse didn't want to pay protection fees to others. It would be better to occupy a piece of land, buy a few mines, and do it himself.

"Boss, are you running a fever?" Aragon touched Saint-Hesse's forehead.

"Go, go, go, I'm not kidding. This mission is assigned to you guys in the Viper Squad. No, Guerrero should also be called, I'm afraid you'll mess things up." Saint-Hesse pushed Aragon's hand away.

"Just treat it as one of your exercises. There are rebellious armed forces there, and guys from Bolivia and Chile often sneak across the border to mess around. My gunpowder factory is very short of raw materials right now. Go there and occupy a position, and buy more potassium chloride back."

"Is that so, boss? Isn't this illegal?" Aragon scratched his face, deeply inheriting Saint-Hesse's true teachings.

"That's not true. We're acting in self-defense. We absolutely don't do illegal things, and we're buying things with money, not forcing anyone to sell. How could it be illegal? I'll give the funds for buying the mines and mineral fields to Guerrero, and you guys will listen to his arrangements then. I'll issue weapons to you, and you can treat this as an escort mission."

"Okay, boss."

"By the way, our Viper Squad is a bit small. If you see anyone suitable there, you can recruit them as non-staff members," Saint-Hesse said after thinking for a moment.

The Viper Squad only had thirty or forty people, which was indeed not many. He couldn't rely on veterans for the time being. That area was also an indigenous tribe, a tri-border area, and Bolivia wasn't a modern country, it was chaotic. For self-preservation, the more people, the better. He couldn't fully let go domestically.

Saint-Hesse found Guerrero, who looked tired and was just about to go to sleep, and told him everything again.

"Guerrero, this mission is very arduous. Except for leaving a few people here with me, I plan to send everyone out. Don't worry about the weapons, I'll clear the checkpoints for transportation. If that doesn't work, go to Bolivia to purchase arms and ammunition."

Saint Hesser has some dealings with those international arms dealers, so he must ensure everything is foolproof. A viper without weapons is like a viper without fangs.

Bolivia is now beginning to establish modern national institutions. The entire country is located in the highlands. Since the War of the Pacific, it has been arguing fiercely with Chile. There are also many opposition armies and guerrilla forces within the country. The Puna Plateau is the so-called "Potassium Triangle," a kind of no-man's-land. If Argentina weren't strong enough, it would definitely have been invaded by Chile.

Chile is known as the "Prussia of South America" and is indeed considered militarily powerful. Saint Hesser has no doubt that if Argentina were as weak as Bolivia, these Chilean military governments would definitely invade.

Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia. After Bolivia lost its access to the sea, it has been arguing ever since. Unfortunately, Bolivia is too weak to recover its lost territory and is one of the largest landlocked countries in the world.

"Saint Boss, this isn't a big problem," Guerrero yawned. These should just be armed villagers, far from being like the mafia. Plus, with the full arsenal Saint Hesser provides, it's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The only trouble is establishing a foothold locally, which needs careful planning.

Saint Hesser isn't just acting on a whim. He thinks it's too troublesome to send people over every time. That area happens to be a no-man's-land. If he can raise a small local armed force, even if it's just to secretly develop in a place like Bolivia, it would be a good fallback plan.

Saint Hesser is also very envious of Bolivia's huge mineral resources. A horse doesn't get fat without grazing at night, and a man doesn't get rich without outside wealth. Although doing some legitimate business is good, if he wants to develop, he definitely needs multiple funding channels. If all else fails, he can just wage guerrilla warfare in Bolivia.

Saint Hesser doesn't have much goodwill towards Bolivia, this agricultural tribal nation. Although the future history is unknown, he still wants to try to change it, even if he can't succeed.

"Alright, I won't disturb your rest. We'll have a meeting tonight to plan things out." Saint Hesser is also a bit worried. Is he going too far by doing this? Sean just needs some raw materials.

He can't be too merciful, Saint Hesser decided, he must do it.

Saint Hesser opened a container in the warehouse, filled with weapons, all of which were old Thompson submachine guns, Browning pistols, berets, bulletproof vests, and a large amount of ammunition, enough to arm a battalion. Saint Hesser is already planning to send them out.

The only pity is that there are no suitable automatic rifles. There are only a few dozen M1 Garand rifles, and it's unknown how the M1 Garand's combat performance will be in the highlands. This time, they are also responding hastily. There are only about ten days to transport the raw materials back by rail, time is tight.

Saint Hesser plans to equip each of them with five grenades, one Browning pistol, one Thompson submachine gun, one beret, and one bulletproof vest.

He won't arrange for other guns. The caliber and logistics are difficult to guarantee. The expedition is more than a thousand kilometers away, and they can only transport supplies once. The next time will be when they have occupied the territory.

For the absolute safety of the Viper Squad, they must advance in an orderly manner, focusing on purchasing supplies first. After familiarizing themselves with the local environment, they can occupy territory, and then organize the establishment of logistical support, transporting supplies continuously.

"I will send several containers of food and grain. You arrange for some people to go with the train, and then handle things cautiously after figuring out the situation. The main goal this time is to buy 50 tons of potassium chloride raw materials. If the conditions are not right, immediately abandon the occupation."

"For this operation, Guerrero will be responsible for all matters, and Aragon will serve as his deputy to command. The name will be 'Thunder Cross Security Group.' Consider this our practical exercise, to let those tribal villagers see the strength of our Falcon Commando Team," Saint Hesser declared the operation.

"Does everyone understand?"

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

"Good, everyone pay attention to rest today, dismiss on the spot, and assemble promptly at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir."

Weapons and ammunition can't be too ostentatious. Saint Hesser arranged for a small freighter to go through the Paraná River, then the Salado River, and then transport it overland to the highlands. This will be arranged by Lucifer.

Lucifer has already hooked up with several local small families in Santa Fe Province, completing the task very well.

Originally, Saint Hesser planned to deploy the Falcon Commando Team's intelligence group, but it doesn't seem to be of much use. Ke City is no longer a top priority, and Maria Town has become the real center. The uncrowned king of Maria Town now only needs to develop desperately.

Sending the Falcons out for a major operation, he hopes that Guerrero and Aragon can truly stand on their own without his leadership, while he is responsible for logistical support.

Of course, local security must also be guaranteed. Saint Hesser has already contacted Mayor Corvo, planning to select and establish a militia in Maria Town to protect the safety of Maria Town.

And the National Defense Army Infantry Brigade has new retired soldiers. It's not a big problem to train another batch. This is also Saint Hesser's plan. Maria Town is in a peaceful and prosperous age, and his focus in Cordoba City is slowly shifting.

It's not a big problem to leave the Plarri factory to Kloss. Kloss has completely adapted to these tasks. The trip to America has brought about a big change in Kloss. It's also not a big problem to have him watch over the Blue Cloud Factory. If it doesn't work out, just give it up.

After arranging all the big and small things, Saint Hesser stopped. This time, arranging for the Falcon team to go to the tri-provincial border area wasn't a sudden whim, but rather Saint Hesser was influenced by the New China's idea of having multiple fallback plans.

It's a good opportunity to buy some salt lakes and establish a new rear area for himself. If he can continue to expand the Falcons, it will be the first armed force under Saint Hesser's command. He believes that after training and practical exercises, there will be great progress.

And Argentina has a huge amount of undeveloped mineral resources. If he can successfully intervene, he can start from this remote area and establish his own mining group from scratch. Bolivia's iron ore and coal are very abundant and are essential raw materials for building a steel plant.

The steel plant is an industry that must be heavily invested in the future. Argentina has little local iron ore and little coal.

Brazil and Argentina don't get along very well, and it's too troublesome to ship iron ore and coal from Australia for the time being. Imports and exports also take time. Bolivia, a landlocked neighboring country, is in a state of domestic turmoil. Now, intervening in it offers great benefits at a very small cost.